Bruins
It is becoming apparent that Linus Ullmark’s term in Boston could also be coming to an end.
Although the Bruins have benefited from having the league's best goaltending duo of their ranks, Jeremy Swayman's impending raise and dominant play within the playoffs guarantees a future during which the 25-year-old goaltender is Boston's first selection in goal.
It stays to be seen how Boston will handle the transfer restrictions related to Ullmark's contract, because the reigning Vezina Trophy winner is on a 16-team no-trade list.
And even when the Bruins find someone to sign Ullmark, the true return for a No. 1 goalie in today's NHL is difficult to estimate.
In any potential Ullmark deal, some draft capital could be a welcome addition, except for the plain salary cap savings that come from removing his $5 million from the books.
But could Don Sweeney discover a technique to herald an efficient forward in a planned Ullmark trade?
A price-controlled, term-bound forward might be out of the query. But what a couple of pending restricted free agent like Martin Necas, who may price out of Carolina's budget this offseason?
In his latest podcast “32 Thoughts” last weekSportsnet's Elliotte Friedman outlined a possible Ullmark-for-Necas deal, adding that the Bruins had previously negotiated a transfer with Carolina that also involved their goalie.
“I think the Bruins and the Hurricanes have talked about a Ullmark deal,” Friedman said. “I don't know if Necas played a role in that. But I think they talked about something. … First, you have to recognize that Ullmark has to be able to go there. I don't know where Carolina is or isn't on his [no-trade] list. But I think it's something that these two teams have talked about.
“I think it is likely [Necas] “I just think he and the Hurricanes don't value one another the identical. But we'll see how that plays out. I mean, on paper it is sensible to me, but that's just paper. I believe there are quite a lot of teams which might be going to take a look at Necas and take a look at to work out what he wants. He's an excellent player and Carolina goes to have some options here.”
Even though goalies Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov are still under contract with Carolina next season, one could argue that the Hurricanes need reinforcements at that position after another disappointing playoff run.
Andersen had a .895 save percentage in 10 playoff games, while Kochetkov didn't fare much better in his only playoff appearance, allowing three goals on 25 shots against the Rangers on May 9.
A possible deal with Ullmark would have to be approved by the experienced goalie if Carolina is on his no-trade list.
But Carolina is a competitive East Coast team that could give Ullmark a prominent role, and there are many good reasons why he should land there, as opposed to a start-up team or franchise out West.
There is some risk involved in sending a proven goalie like Ullmark to another Eastern contender like Carolina, but if you get a top-notch forward like Necas in return, it could be a risk worth taking for Boston.
If the Bruins rely on speed on offense this offseason, Necas is a sure target – even if the 25-year-old forward would be more suited to the wings than the center.
Necas, one of the NHL's most talented skaters, ranked in the 97th percentile of NHL players in top skating speed last season and in the 99th percentile in bursts of speed over 20 miles per hour. according to NHL EDGE puck and player tracking data.
The wheels allow Necas to become a playmaker in transition, especially when it comes to creating easy zone entries for his team.
But this speed also gives him the ability to cause damage on the forecheck and put opposing players under pressure. The Czech striker scored 124 points (52 goals, 72 assists) in the last two seasons (159 games).
Necas is a talented forward with great potential that the Bruins are looking to add to their roster in 2024, although there are some questions about his overall game.
The 2017 first-round pick is not exactly considered a strong defensive forward, and his limited appearances in the middle could be a byproduct of his lapses in the defensive zone and his poor faceoff numbers (41.5 percent in his career).
But even when Necas is taken into account more of a top-six winger than a proven first-line center, his skills could be coveted on a team like Boston that lacks offensive firepower.
There are several hurdles in the best way of a possible Necas take care of Boston, particularly in relation to protecting Ullmark, outbidding other potential suitors and negotiating a brand new contract for the talented forward.
But trading away a worthwhile player like Ullmark while bolstering an area of need on offense is precisely the sort of move Sweeney and his team should consider during what may very well be a game-changing offseason for the Bruins.
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